Collapsible container

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention there is provided devices and methods for an improved collapsible container that includes a base, which has a portion moveable between a collapsed and expanded position, at least one wheel associated with the one side of the base and a body associated with the base, where the body is moveable between a collapsed and expanded position. The container uses a zipper mechanism as a means to retain the moveable portions of the container in its collapsed and expanded positions. The container further includes support members configured to shape and retain the collapsible portion of the body member. The support members may be in the form of removable members or alternatively, the support members may be integrated within or upon the body member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to luggage and containers,and more particularly related to expandable, wheeled luggage andcontainers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a collapsible bag, container or luggage item is oftenpreferred inasmuch as such items are more easily stored because they canbe folded or made compact when not in use. Additionally, such items aretypically lighter in weight. Also, because soft-sided luggage items,containers or bags have flexible sides, they may be used to hold andtransport uniquely shaped items that could not be easily placed andstored in a hard-sided luggage item or container. Further, flexible bagsare often more economical to manufacture and easier to move ortransport.

Examples of various containers or luggage items are shown, in thefollowing United States patents: Shyr et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,908;Tan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,890; Godshaw et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,592;Kotkins, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,328; Knight, U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,496;Cohen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,394.

Although such bag, container or luggage items have achieved popularityand commercial success, there has been a continuing need forimprovement.

A shortcoming of bags such as those shown in the above referencedpatents is that many times the wheels are left exposed when the bag isdisposed in its folded state. This is undesirable because the wheels maybe dirty from having been used on various surfaces such as sidewalks,streets or other unclean surfaces. Therefore it is desirable to design acollapsible bag wherein the wheels are not exposed when the bag is in acollapsed state. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,394, the bag shown anddescribed therein does not dispose the wheels in a folded state butrather merely contemplates the detachment and removal of the exposedwheels.

An additional shortcoming of those bags shown above is that many of thebags are not collapsible upon the base member of which they extend from.For example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,908 and as shown in U.S.Pat. No. 6,401,890, when the bags shown therein are disposed in a foldedstate, the sides of the bag extend beyond the area of the base, therebytaking up more space than necessary. As shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,160,496, the bag does not fold onto the base member but rather the bagis folded by sandwiching the bag between the folded halves of the bag'sbody member.

A further limitation still of the bags described above is that theycannot be completely expanded from and contracted to its base memberwith a single zipper. As shown in the above bag, each bag requiresmultiple folding and/or zippering steps to expand and contract them,thereby taking more time and effort than necessary.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide acollapsible wheeled container, which when disposed in a collapsed state,provide for wheels that are not exposed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsiblewheeled container, wherein when the container is disposed in a collapsedstate, the collapsed bag does not extend beyond the area of the basemember from which the bag extends from in an un-collapsed state.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsiblewheeled container, wherein the collapsed container is expanded from itsbase member to an expanded state, or vice versa, though a single zippermechanism.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading thedetails of the methods and systems of the present invention which aremore fully described below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for an improved collapsible containerthat includes a base, which has a portion moveable between a collapsedand expanded position, at least one wheel associated with the one sideof the base and a body associated with the base, where the body ismoveable between a collapsed and an expanded position. The containeruses a single zipper or other fastening mechanism as a means to retainthe moveable portions of the container in its collapsed and expandedpositions. The container further includes support members configured toshape and retain the collapsible portion of the body member. The supportmembers may be in the form of removable members or alternatively, thesupport members may be integrated within or upon the body member.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided: acollapsible container, said collapsible container comprising a basemember, said base member having a portion movable between a first andsecond position; at least one wheel member associated with a first sideof said base member; a body member associated with said base member,said body member movable between a collapsed position and an expandedposition; at least one support member associated with said body member,said support member being either removable or resilient.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a non-rigidcollapsible container, the collapsible container comprising: asemi-rigid base member, the base member having a portion movable betweena first and second position; at least one wheel member associated with afirst side of the base member; a body member associated with the basemember, the body member movable between a collapsed position and anexpanded position; and a support member, the support member associatedwith the body member, wherein the support member is configured tosupport at least a portion of the body member when the body member isdisposed in an expanded position.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a collapsiblecontainer, including a semi-rigid base member, said base member having aportion movable between a first and second position, wherein the basemember is at least partially covered with a material; at least two wheelmembers fixedly attached to a first side of the base member; a bodymember associated with the base member, said body member movable betweena collapsed position and an expanded position; and support member, thesupport member associated with the body member, wherein the supportmember is configured to support at least a portion of the body memberwhen the body member is disposed in an expanded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS.

To facilitate understanding, the same reference numerals have been used(where practical) to designate similar elements that are common to theFigures. Some such numbering has, however, been omitted for the sake ofdrawing clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible container of the presentinvention in an expanded configuration, disclosing the zipper and hingemechanism and with a partial cutaway to disclose the removable supports.

FIG. 2A, is a perspective view disclosing the process of contraction ofthe container to its base member.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view disclosing the process of contraction ofthe container to its base member.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view disclosing the process of contraction ofthe container to its base member.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the collapsible container of thepresent invention in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the collapsible container of thepresent invention in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention in an expandedconfiguration, disclosing the zipper and hinge mechanism and wireframesupport members integrated within or upon the body.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism, the process of contraction of the container to itsbase member and wireframe support members integrated within or upon thebody.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism, the process of contraction of the container to itsbase member and wireframe support members integrated within or upon thebody.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism, the process of contraction of the container to itsbase member and wireframe support members integrated within or upon thebody.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism, the process of contraction of the container to itsbase member and wireframe support members integrated within or upon thebody.

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism, the process of contraction of the container to itsbase member and wireframe support members integrated within or upon thebody.

FIG. 4G is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism, the process of contraction of the container to itsbase member and wireframe support members integrated within or upon thebody.

FIG. 4H is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention, disclosing the zipperand hinge mechanism and the process of contraction of the container toits base member.

FIG. 4I is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention in a collapsedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of thecollapsible container of the present invention in an expandedconfiguration, disclosing the zipper and hinge mechanism for a containerthat is round or oval in shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in such detail, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to particular variationsset forth herein as various changes or modifications may be made to theinvention described and equivalents may be substituted without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material,composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s) to theobjective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All suchmodifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims madeherein.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recitedevents which is logically possible, as well as the recited order ofevents. Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, it isunderstood that every intervening value, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within the invention. Also, it iscontemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variationsdescribed may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combinationwith any one or more of the features described herein.

All existing subject matter mentioned herein (e.g., publications,patents, patent applications and hardware) is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety except insofar as the subject matter may conflictwith that of the present invention (in which case what is present hereinshall prevail). The referenced items are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention isnot entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention.[00351 Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that thereare plural of the same items present. More specifically, as used hereinand in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “and,” “said” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to excludeany optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve asantecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,”“only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements,or use of a “negative” limitation. Last, it is to be appreciated thatunless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs.

The present invention provides for an improved collapsible containerthat includes a base member, having a portion moveable between a firstand second position, wherein at least one wheel associated with one sideof the base member. The collapsible container further includes a bodymember associated with the base member, where the body member ismoveable between a collapsed and expanded position. A zipper mechanismor similar closure means may be utilized to retain the moveable portionsof the container in its collapsed and expanded positions. In addition tothat described above, it is further contemplated that the collapsiblecontainer in accordance with the present invention may further includesupport members configured to shape and retain the collapsible portionof the body member. The support members may be in the form of removablemembers or alternatively, the support members may be integrated withinor upon the body member as will be described in greater detail below.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a collapsiblecontainer including a base member having at least one wheel and a bodymember. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary embodimentof the collapsible container in accordance with the present invention,wherein the body member is shown in an expanded state. As shown in FIG.1, the collapsible container 5 includes a base member 10, having atleast one wheel 14 associated with the base member 10, wherein the wheel14 may be fixedly or removably affixed to the base member 10. As shownin FIG. 1, the collapsible bag 5 further includes a body member 20,wherein the body member may be constructed of a generally flexiblematerial, wherein the body member 20 having a proximal end 21 and adistal end 22, wherein the distal end 22 of the body member 20 isassociated with a portion of the base member 10 through a hinge member11 associated with the base member 10. The body member 20 may furtherinclude a handle member 25 disposed adjacent the proximal end 21. Aswill be described in greater detail below, the body member 20 mayfurther include a stiffening and/or support member wherein thestiffening/support member may be removable 30 or be integrated therewiththe body member 20 as a set of semi-rigid panels and/or wireframesupport member 26.

As described above and shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the body member 20adjacent to the distal end 22 is associated with a portion of the basemember 10 through a hinge member 11. The hinge member 11 may beconstructed of a material such as fabric or other similar material withdesirable characteristics or may be embodied as a mechanical device suchas a metal hinge, plastic hinge or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, only aportion of the body member 20 is attached to the base member by thehinge portion 11, wherein the remaining portion of the distal end 22 ofthe body member 20 may be removably attached to the remaining portion ofthe base member 10. The portion of the body member not associated withthe base member through the hinge portion 11 may be removably attachedutilizing an attachment means such as zipper mechanisms, snaps, buttons,clips, velcro®, or similar devices which may be used to detachablyattach one member to another. In a preferred embodiment, a zipper isutilized to removably attach the portion of the base member to the bodymember.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base member 10 may be constructed of a rigid orsemi-rigid material. Materials from which the base member may beconstructed of include; wood, plastic, paper, composite materials,ethylene vinyl acetate (or EVA), metal, plastic, paper, or compositematerials. In a preferred embodiment the base member is constructed of acomposite material. Further still, as shown and described, the basemember may be covered with a material such as cloth, plastic,polyvinylchloride, rubber or similar materials having desirableproperties. In a preferred embodiment the base member is covered with aflexible material such as nylon fabric or cloth. The body member may beconstructed of any material that is capable of being compressed and/orfolded. Examples of suitable materials include cloth, nylon, plastics,composite materials, and leather. In preferred embodiments the bodymember may be constructed of leather, composite materials, or syntheticmaterials such as nylon or rayon, and natural fabrics such as cotton andother similar materials having desirable properties.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A through 2C there is shown a collapsiblecontainer in accordance with the present invention, wherein thecontainer is shown in an expanded state in FIG. 2A, partially collapsedin FIG. 2B and fully collapsed in FIG. 2C, the process of collapsing thecontainer as shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C will be described in detailbelow. FIGS. 1 and 2A through 2C together show how a user will collapsethe container. As depicted in its expanded state in FIG. 2A, the userwill unzip the zipper mechanism 15 of the base member 10, rotating themovable portion of the base member 12 180 degrees so that the basemember is open and flat and wheel members 14 are now facing upwards. Auser will then fold in the sides of the body member 20, rolling the bodymember into the fixed portion of the base member 11, removing theremovable support members 30, as shown in FIG. 1, or collapsing thewireframe support members 26, as show in FIGS. 4G and 4H until the bodymember is folded into the base member 11. FIG. 2B shows the container inthis partially collapsed state. As show in FIG. 2C, the user will thenfold moveable portion of the base member 12 on top of the fixed portion11 and zip up the container using fastener 15.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the figure shows the collapsible container,disposed in a collapsed state. A handle 24 is now exposed which isconnected to the now exposed side of the fixed portion of the basemember 11. The fixed portion of the base member 11 and the moveableportion of the base member 12 are fastened together by the zippermechanism 15. In its collapsed state, the container can be carried byhandle 24.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of acontainer in accordance with the present invention wherein as shown inFIG. 3B, the wheel members 14 are not exposed when the container isdisposed within a collapsed state.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4I, there is shown an exemplaryembodiment of an alternative collapsible container in accordance withthe present invention. As show in FIG. 4A, the collapsible container 5is constructed similar to that shown and described in FIGS. 1-3 above,wherein the container shown in FIG. 4A alternatively includes wireframesupport members 26 integrated within or upon the body member 20. In thisparticular embodiment, the wireframe support members 26 have beenapplied to a rectangular body member 20 so that they outline the shapeof the body member 20. The wireframe support members 26 can be made of anumber of metallic, synthetic or natural materials that possess bothflexible and rigid characteristics, including, but not limited to,steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, polycarbonate, polyurethane,glass filled plastics and similar materials having desirable properties.

As depicted in FIGS. 4B and 4C, a user collapsing this embodiment of thecontainer will first undo both snap fastening members 27 (FIG. 4D) andvelcro® fastening members 28 (FIG. 4C) that hold the edges of the bodymember 20 to the edges of the base member 10. The fastening members canbe composed of a combination of snaps, buttons, clips, velcro®, orsimilar devices and/or cloth, fabric or other similar materials withsuch desirable characteristics. User will then as depicted in FIG. 4D,unzip zipper mechanism 15 of the base member 10, rotating the moveableportion of the base member 12 180 degrees so that the base member isopen and flat and wheel members 14 are now facing upwards as depicted inFIGS. 4E and 4F. User then folds the body member 20 into the fixedportion of base member 11 by collapsing the wireframe support members 26as depicted in FIGS. 4G and 4H. User then completes the process byfolding the moveable portion of the base member 12 on top the fixedportion 11 and fastens the two with the zipper mechanism 15 as depictedin FIG. 4I. In its collapsed state, the container can be carried byhandle 24 and personal information displayed in the card holder 29.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown another preferred embodiment acontainer in accordance with the present invention where as show in FIG.5, the collapsible container 5 has a base member 10 and a body member 20that is round or oval in shape. Wherein the container shown in FIG. 5functions in the same or a similar manner in that shown and describedabove with respect to the other embodiments of the present invention.

The instant invention is shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical, and preferred embodiments. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made there from, which arewithin the scope of the invention, and that obvious modifications willoccur to one skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

1. A collapsible container, said collapsible container comprising: abase member, said base member having a portion movable between a firstand second position; at least one wheel member associated with a firstside of said base member; and a body member associated with said basemember, said body member movable between a collapsed position and anexpanded position.
 2. The collapsible container according to claim 1,wherein said body member further includes at least one support member.3. The collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein said supportmember is removable.
 4. The collapsible container according to claim 2,wherein said support member is resilient.
 5. The collapsible containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said base member includes a hinge, saidhinge defining said movable portion.
 6. The collapsible containeraccording to claim 5, wherein said wheel member is in association withsaid movable portion of said base member.
 7. The collapsible containeraccording to claim 6, wherein said base member further includes azipper, said zipper configured to retain said movable portion of saidbase member in said first and second positions.
 8. A non-rigidcollapsible container, said collapsible container comprising: asemi-rigid base member, said base member having a portion movablebetween a first and second position; at least one wheel memberassociated with a first side of said base member; a body memberassociated with said base member, said body member movable between acollapsed position and an expanded position; and a support member, saidsupport member associated with the body member, wherein the supportmember is configured to support at least a portion of the body memberwhen the body member is disposed in an expanded position.
 9. Thecollapsible container according to claim 8, wherein said support memberis resilient.
 10. The collapsible container according to claim 9,wherein said base member includes a hinge, said hinge defining saidmovable portion.
 11. The collapsible container according to claim 10,wherein said wheel member is in association with said movable portion ofsaid base member.
 12. The collapsible container according to claim 11,wherein said base member further includes a zipper, said zipperconfigured to retain said movable portion of said base member in saidfirst and second positions.
 13. The collapsible container according toclaim 12, wherein the base member is generally rectangular.
 14. Thecollapsible container according to claim 12, wherein the base member isgenerally oval.
 15. The collapsible container according to claim 12,wherein the base member is generally square.
 16. A collapsiblecontainer, comprising: a semi-rigid base member, said base member havinga portion movable between a first and second position, wherein said basemember is at least partially covered with a material; at least two wheelmembers fixedly attached to a first side of said base member; a bodymember associated with said base member, said body member movablebetween a collapsed position and an expanded position; and a supportmember, said support member associated with the body member, wherein thesupport member is configured to support at least a portion of the bodymember when the body member is disposed in an expanded position.
 17. Thecollapsible container of claim 16, wherein the base member furtherincludes a zipper assembly, said zipper assembly configured to engage aportion of the body member.
 18. The collapsible container of claim 17,wherein said support member is resilient.
 19. The collapsible containerof claim 18, wherein said base member further include a handle.
 20. Thecollapsible container of claim 19, wherein said body member furtherincludes a handle.